Every year on 10 October, World Mental Health Day reminds us to pause and reflect on how we can take better care of our minds. Conversations usually focus on therapy, exercise, or mindfulness – and rightly so – but there is one piece of the puzzle that often gets overlooked: sleep. Those seven to nine hours we are told to aim for each night are not just downtime. They are essential fuel for emotional balance, focus, and resilience.
The link between sleep and mental wellbeing
Poor sleep and a bad mood go hand in hand. You have probably noticed how a restless night makes even the smallest annoyances feel overwhelming. That is because sleep plays a vital role in regulating neurotransmitters and stress hormones. When you are sleep-deprived, your brain’s ability to process emotions is thrown off balance, which can make you more irritable, anxious, or prone to low mood. Consistent, high-quality sleep helps you wake up with more emotional stability – and that is a cornerstone of good mental health.
Not all sleep is equally ‘good’
At Hynt, we aim to not only increase the total length of time somebody spends asleep, but also the quality of their sleep. Quality is a very imprecise term and can mean different things to different people. When we speak of good quality sleep, we refer to a sleep cycle in which more time is spent in deep, restorative sleep and REM sleep, which is when our memory is processed.
Sleep is your brain’s nightly reset
Think of sleep as your brain’s “clean-up crew.” During deep sleep stages, the brain consolidates memories, clears waste products, and makes space for learning and problem-solving. When you do not get enough rest, you are essentially short-circuiting these vital processes. The result? Concentrating and staying focused become more difficult, and our decision-making faculties are impaired. Over time, this mental clutter can heighten feelings of stress and frustration, making it harder to stay mentally resilient.
Sleep and stress: The protective link
Another big factor is how sleep supports your body’s stress response. Chronic sleep deprivation can keep your nervous system in a constant state of “fight or flight,” which not only wears down your physical health but also increases your risk of anxiety and depression. However, prioritising regular rest trains your body to reset, recover, and respond to challenges with more calm and clarity. Sleep is not just about recovery, but it is a form of prevention.
Prioritising sleep for better mental health
This World Mental Health Day, as we talk about caring for our minds, let’s not forget the simplest and most effective tool we have: sleep. Building healthier sleep habits can make a huge difference to how we feel day-to-day. Actions like sticking to a regular bedtime, keeping screens out of the bedroom, and creating a wind-down routine are all good, solid steps towards better sleep.
In fact, the importance of bedtime routines is why we decided early on to develop a product that can integrate seamlessly into those routines. Hynt’s sleep solution can be linked to a wide range of sleep and wellbeing apps, making it easy to add scent to your existing habits. Good sleep is not a luxury; it is a foundation. Protect it, and you are protecting your mental health.